Seven tips to help you stay on the wagon over the Christmas break

By Bunmi Aboaba, founder of The Sober Advantage

Whether you have opted for a sober life or are making an effort to cut right back, the festive season can really test your resolve when it comes to drink.

According to the Scottish Health Survey one in four Scots (26 per cent) drink at hazardous or harmful levels (defined as drinking more than 14 units per week), reported by 35 per cent of men and 17 per cent of women.

So how can you avoid falling off the wagon when it is the “season to be jolly”?

Here are some tips to help you have fun without getting floored: Timing: Start late, leave early. Give yourself enough time to have fun before it may get too boozy. It could be your chance to say you have “somewhere else to be,” after all, it is the party season. If it gets a little bit too much to handle then feel free to leave – sometimes just showing your face is enough.

“But what if I have to stay later?” I know. It can be impossible to leave an event or party early sometimes. The most effective way to work around this is to be the designated driver. Not only will people more readily accept that you’re not on the booze, they’ll love you for driving them home safely.

0 The festive season can really test your resolve drinks, and keep a glass in your hand so people won’t hassle you and buy you an alcoholic drink. Indulge in non-alcoholic cocktails: I say indulge because non-alcoholic cocktails are amazing. When I drink a Virgin Mojito it feels like a treat in itself. One of the best things about non-alcoholic cocktails is you can mix your drinks without fear of a dreaded hangover.

Most bars, pubs and clubs will have all the ingredients for plenty of non-alcoholic cocktails; you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

If your family has a tradition of drinking Buck’s Fizz in the morning or a mulled wine on Christmas Eve, then you can still join in. Non-alcoholic mulled wine is made from all the same tasty ingredients except the ‘wine’ part.

As for Buck’s Fizz...well I’ve got news for you that you’re going to love. The mocktail version of Buck’s Fizz take some time to sit back and treat yourself to some personal time.

It seems like we all have to be in ‘go, go, go’ mode when Christmas comes around. But actually, it’s completely fine to do everything at your own pace. It’s OK to turn a ‘Christmas do’ into a ‘Christmas don’t’.